How it happened: After manager Dale Sveum talked about the need for his team to add on runs when grabbing an early lead, the Cubs went out and did just that -- and they ended up needing each one. The Cubs scored early on Darwin Barney's run-scoring double in the second and Barney would come around to score later in the innning on Luis Valbuena's single to give the Cubs a 2-0 lead. Ryan Sweeney hit a solo home run in the third and the Cubs tacked on two more in the fourth when Anthony Rizzo singled in two to give the Cubs a 5-2 lead. Kevin Gregg made it interesting in the ninth when Juan Francisco led off the inning with a solo home run, followed by a double from Rickie Weeks. Logan Schafer sacrificed Weeks to third, but on the next batter Valbuena fielded a grounder from Yuniesky Betancourt and threw home in time to cut down Weeks. With two down and a Betancourt on first, Scooter Gennett drove a ball deep to right, but Nate Schierholtz caught it at the track to end the game.

What it means: It was a nice night for a pair of kids who are likely to figure prominently in any future success for this organization. Following a rough 15 games to open the month of June, Rizzo has once again righted the ship. With two hits and a walk on Wednesday, Rizzo is hitting .417/.500/.792 in his last seven games. After sitting out a game for the first time since 2011 on Tuesday, Starlin Castro produced two hits from the No. 2 hole in the lineup. It's a step in the right direction for Castro, who had looked lost at the plate in recent weeks.

Outside the box: In addition to his two hits, Rizzo drew another walk, his 18th in the month of June. This after drawing only 15 walks in April and May combined. Former Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez hit a solo home run in the second for his 2000th career hit.

Up next: The Cubs wrap up their three-game set against the Brewers as Matt Garza (2-1, 4.25) takes the bump against Wily Peralta (5-8, 5.59) in the rubber match at Miller Park on Thursday at 1:10 p.m.